Serena Williams falls 150 places to 175th in world rankings

Serena Williams has dropped 150 places in the world rankings to 175th, her lowest position since 1997.

Serena Williams: 14-year low in world rankings (Pic: Getty)

The 29-year-old American only recently returned from injury and illness, and lost to Marion Bartoli in the fourth round at Wimbledon, where she was defending her title.

Three British players are now ahead of her, Elena Baltacha up ten places to 58th, Anne Keovathong rising from 111th to 94th and Heather Watson staying 106th.

Caroline Wozniacki remains top of the rankings, while Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova climbs one to seventh.

Laura Robson, who was beaten by runner-up Maria Sharapova, is up 69 to 185th.

In the men’s rankings, Wimbledon 2011 champion Novak Djokovic is the 25th male to take the world number one spot. After losing to Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals, Andy Murray remains fourth.Jo-Wilfred Tsonga rises five places to 14th after his run to the semi-finals, and Australian teen Bernard Tomic – beaten by Djokovic in the last eight – reaches a career-high ranking of 71st, a climb of 87 places.Britain’s James Ward is 187th (up five places), Daniel Cox goes up two places to 271st and Liam Broady – beaten in the boys’ final – climbs 78 places to 668th.